Genes linked to working together

11th November 2010

Scottish scientists say that an individual’s ability to work with other people could be partly due to their genes.

Researchers, writing in the journal Psychological Science, questioned 1,000 twins on their attitude to forming groups with people of different race and religious backgrounds and found that identical twins were more likely than non-identical to give similar responses suggesting a genetic influence. Professor Timothy Bates, who authored the study, said the findings showed that genetic inheritance was an important factor in the success of a coalition.